Tag: green fashion

Shopping vintage is one of the best ways to find unique pieces that don’t break the bank or the planet. Vintage bags in particular have been increasingly regarded has great investment pieces with unique period pieces or classic luxury designer bags increasingly going up in value. An example of this is the classic Chanel flap bag, that has risen in value by more than 230% in the last 12 years as reported by FT.

Here is why going vintage for your next bag purchase is a good investment:

You get more for your money

One of the more obvious reasons for shopping old rather than new, is that you can find some pretty good deals out there which means you get more for your money. Yes, it involves a lot more rummaging or research trying to find what you’re looking for, but that’s part of the fun.

2. Certain classic pieces can go up in value

For designer bags, the classic Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Hermes, are always in high demand and the quantity available out there is limited which means they are likely to keep going in value. These are also pieces that have high quality of craftsmanship and generally people that do buy them, keep them in very good condition which makes it easier to resell. Certain unique period pieces, although harder to find, can also keep going in value.

Photo: collagevintage.com

3. You get something unique

One of the main reasons so many of us enjoy vintage shopping is the ability to find unique pieces. When most of today’s fashion on high street is mass produced, finding a unique piece is a true joy.

4. Vintage doesn’t necessarily mean poor condition

A lot of the bags you find in thrift or vintage shops are in pretty good condition although you should definitely be aware of any stains, scratches or faults before buying to make sure you’re happy with your purchase. If you’re worried about the “storage” smell, stains, or any faults there are quite a few professional cleaning and repair options out there that can help restore the bag.

5. It’s more sustainable

Buying second hand or vintage, even if you don’t always do it, is still more sustainable than always buying new. And with such a large array of choice out there it’s not hard to find something special that you’ll cherish forever.

A holiday loved by children and adults alike, Halloween is just a few days away and we couldn’t be more excited! Instead of buying each year a new costume that has potentially been made through questionable manufacturing practices and that you are less likely to reuse, here are our top tips on how to make your Halloween costume this year more eco-friendly as well as more affordable.

Check your existing wardrobe

Previous costumes that can be easily re-updated with some accessories, or makeup is one of the easiest, most sustainable and cheapest ways to dress up for this Halloween. Alternatively, see what clothing pieces you have that when styled together with some creativity, can easily become a great and unique Halloween outfit.

2. Look through the recycle bin

Cardboards, papers, can be easily painted and cut to help accessorise an otherwise boring outfit.

3. Use existing makeup or borrow from friends

Instead of buying face paint see what colouring you can do using existing makeup. Alternatively, see if friends have leftover face paint. If you need to buy remember to buy organic face paint that’s kinder to your skin.

4. Costume swap with friends

Costume swapping with friends is another easy solution, great for reusing previous costumes, and let’s not mention- free!

Gif: 20th Television

5. Check local thrift stores

Whether you’re just looking for accessories to add to your costume or a full look, local thrift stores can be great for finding great and affordable used fashion.

6. Focus on accessories or clothes you are likely to reuse

Fashion trends always come back in style. Pieces from the 90s, 80s, 70s, can be easily repurposed for today’s style.

7. Use natural materials for accessories

Flowers, leaves, cones can provide great accessories for your look. Admittedly they might work easier if you’re going as something nature- related.

In 2012 Nike introduced the Flyknit technology which allows them to produce light, strong and adaptive footwear with 60% less waste than the industry footwear manufacturing average. This technology has been used for the production of several of their trainers including running, training, basketball, football, tennis and golf.

As part of their Flyknit technology, the new Flyleather shoe has been introduced for the first time during Climate Week. As described by Nike, the Flyleather is a super material made with at least 50% recycled natural leather fiber and water power. During a typical leather manufacturing process, 30% of a cow’s hide is discarded, Nike uses the discarded leather scraps from the floor of tanneries and transforms them into fiber which then goes through a hydro and finishing process to fully complete.

According to Nike, overall Flyknit uses 90% less water, 80% lower carbon footprint, 50% recycled fiber and is 5 times more durable, making it one of Nike’s more sustainable innovation ever and a game-changer for the trainers industry.

“The earth is the athlete’s biggest playground, so one of our greatest opportunities is to create breakthrough products while protecting our planet,” says Hannah Jones, Nike Chief Sustainability Officer and VP of the Innovation Accelerator.

Nike is kicking the Flyleather off with the Tennis Classic – now available on the Nike website and selected stores, followed by the Air Force 1, Air Max 90, Cortez and Jordan 1.

Gucci’s President and CEO Marco Bizzarri announced this week that all future collections starting from next year will be fur-free as well as pledging to auction all past manufactured fur garments and donate the profits to benefit animal-rights charities.

Bizzari said the move represents “our absolute commitment to making sustainability an intrinsic part of our business” and credits the ability to make this move possible to Gucci’s Creative Director, Alessandro Michele who was appointed in 2015.

The news comes after fellow Italian brand Armani announced last year to stop using fur in its collection and Gucci will now join 40 other organisations that make up the Fur Free Alliance aimed at putting an end to the animal cruelty in the fashion industry.

This is seen as a game-changer for the fashion industry as Gucci, part of the Kering group that also houses Stella McCartney, is one of the most known luxury brands with stores all over the world. The brand was ranked by Forbes as number 47 World’s Most Valuable Brand and as reported by Kering, Gucci saw a remarkable growth in the first quarter of 2017 with 51.4% increase in sales and 11% shares jump.

Unfortunately the number of luxury fashion houses that are fur-free is still quite low so hopefully as a brand with such high consumer awareness and customer base, this will make a great positive impact in terms of encouraging more consumers to see fur as outdated and cruel, as well as serving as an example to other big luxury fashion houses to join the movement and produce fur-free innovative designs.

Outfit repeats at work have been for long seen as something we should avoid and have put a lot of pressure especially on women to wear each day something different for fear of what others might think (“Will my colleagues think I haven’t showered?!”). But repeating looks shouldn’t be something we feel ashamed of and as Arianna Huffington put it “I don’t hide my outfit repeats, I celebrate them”.

This doesn’t mean that you have to wear the same t-shirt for weeks but more about minimising your wardrobe to key essentials that you feel the most comfortable in at work. Steve Jobs had his signature black turtleneck and jeans look, Mark Zuckerberg is rarely seen in something else than t-shirt and jeans, and Sony’s Creative Manager – Matilda Kahl, has been become widely known for wearing the same white top with black trousers to work every day for 3 years.

So what are the benefits of outfit repeats you might ask:

Time saving

Biggest reason most people choose to repeat outfits is the obvious time-saving in the mornings, not having to spend hours each week thinking “what should I wear today?” and having to keep changing each morning till you find that “perfect look”. This means you can spend more time sleeping, having a nice breakfast, or on your business.

Comfort

Being able to decide your work uniform means you can find the items you’ve been wearing to work that you feel most comfortable in which can be a huge relief and allow you to better focus on your job.

You’re in control

Not having to feel the pressure of having to constantly think of what to wear and what will others think of your look means that you’re in control of the image you want to put forward and let your ideas be the key focus in meetings.

It’s good for the environment

A minimalist wardrobe has not only time benefits but it’s also good for the environment. You don’t feel the need to buy as many clothes just for the sake of having something new to wear at work.

Less clutter

Less items in your wardrobe, less clutter and clothes forgotten that you never wear but are sitting there with the tag on because they initially felt like a good choice but then realised you don’t actually feel comfortable in them.

It means you have more fun dressing up in weekends or evenings

Repeating outfits at work doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t enjoy fashion or dressing up, in fact you are likely to feel more energised to dress up for other occasions.